Bomb guts Pakistan Marriott, kills 60

President Bush on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist bombing of a Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, while stopping short of assigning blame for the attack.

The presidential candidates were less reluctant Republican John McCain pointed to "violent Islamic extremism" and Democrat Barack Obama said the attack "demonstrates the grave and urgent threat that al-Qaida and its affiliates pose to the United States, to Pakistan, and to the security of all nations."

Bush said in a statement the attack "is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan.

"This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism," said Bush, who extended his condolences to the families of those killed.

He promised to "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice," and to support Pakistanis "as they face enormous challenges economically as well as from terrorism."

Obama, campaigning in Florida, and McCain, who attended a Navy football game in Annapolis, Md., also issued statements extending their condolences.

Obama said: "As the attack earlier this week on our embassy in Yemen shows, over seven years after 9/11, the terrorist threat knows no borders, and the terrorists threaten innocent civilians of all religions and regions. Now is the time to refocus our efforts on defeating al-Qaida and securing the American people."

An attack Wednesday by a half dozen gunmen on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen killed 17 people, including one American.

Obama also called for "a deep and lasting partnership with Pakistan, and with nations around the world, to root out and destroy al-Qaida and its affiliates. The United States must lead a truly global effort to prevail against al-Qaida and their hate-filled ideology."

McCain said the bombing in Islamabad "must serve to deepen the resolve of Americans and Pakistanis alike to aggressively confront those terrorist groups that seek our destruction."

"While no organization has yet taken responsibility for this act, it is well known that Pakistan faces an enduring threat from violent Islamic extremism," McCain said. "We must work with the elected government of Pakistan to find those responsible, hold them accountable, and diminish their ability to threaten us and our allies in the future."